dlb237

In Salvador, Brazil, the docks are in the lower city and most of the interesting sites are in the upper city in the Pelourinho area. Much of the tourist info about Salvador includes information on the Lacerda elevator to get to/from the upper city, but there's a more direct way to get there if the ship does not dock at the southern end of the docks.

See the map here for reference: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/maps/south-america/brazil/salvador-da-bahia/

Our ship docked roughly at the foot of Rua da Argentina. Elevator Lacerda is opposite Rua da Belgica at the south end of the docks (shown as a cableway on the map). There's another set of cableway symbols to the north at the eastern end of Rua da Argentina - that's an inclined plane railway, the Plano Inclinado Goncalves (page is in Portugese, but includes picture): http://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plano_inclinado_Gon%C3%A7alves

The upper station on this inclined plane is directly behind the Cathedral in the heart of the Pelourinho, whereas the top of the elevator is at a plaza somewhat further south. As of April, 2010, the one-way fare for both the Plano Inclinado Goncalves and Elevator Lacerda is a bargain-basement R$0.15 (less than 10 cents US). This map shows both the elevator (10) and the inclined plane (1), but is clipped in the dock area: http://www.planetware.com/map/salvador-map-bra-bra315.htm

Salvador, Brazil was definitely an interesting place to visit, but bring good walking shoes, as the only reasonable way to get around the Pelourinho is on foot, and the streets are paved with somewhat uneven cobblestones.

I just posted directions in this thread: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1006009

Enjoy,

--David

If the cruise center can't do stamp passports, the airport is close by. As it calls itself Grand Turk International Airport, there's probably someone there with a passport stamp and inkpad.

FYI,

--David

Hi all, We are on the Caribbean Princess in May going to grand turk, and would love to know if there are walkable beaches that have good snorkeling. DH lost his job, but since our cruise is already paid for, we thought we would still go, but need to keep it on the cheap. We planned to bring our own snorkel gear.

 

I see there is a Cruise center just off the port, but wasn't sure if there was a charge to use their beach or pool. Appreciate the help.

The whole island is a beach - to a first approximation, it's a large sandbar. There are fine beaches walking both north and south of the cruise center - south might be better for snorkeling as the coastline gets more interesting (watch out for the rocks - they're mostly smooth, but still hard). I brought back a lovely conch shell from that beach.

The beach and pool at the cruise center are free - Margaritaville is at the pool and makes their money on drinks and food. For shade, find a beach chair (free) under a tree, as they do charge to rent the covers for the beach chairs that provide shade.

Enjoy,

--David